Showfront TSF 1000 Display Cabinet -- Reviewed

What's the point of finishing with the most toys, if you have no way of displaying them all?

Enter Showfront's TSF 1000 commercial grade display cabinet.

Read on for our thoughts.

When it comes to electronic devices, we're constantly leaning towards more professional products which are often collectively referred to as 'prosumer' grade. Prosumer products typically cost a little more than the average consumer items but boast professional (or very close to professional) performance.

With Showfront's history of creating professional display cabinets for shops, museums, kiosks, schools and tourist centres the TSF 1000 has prosumer written all over it.

This isn't your father's display cabinet.

DESIGN AND BUILD

The TSF 1000 is an imposing 2000mm tall and at a width and depth of 1000mm and 450mm respectively, is able to store a multitude of precious items. Other than the 370mm high storage compartment and the upper 210mm light housing (and the four thin vertical rails, of course) the entire cabinet is comprised of clear safety glass.

The top light housing and bottom storage compartment are both finished in an off white melamine type material which is neat and smooth to the touch. The aluminium rails and sliding door frames integrate well, with impeccably tight seams and clean edges throughout.

Not including the off white base shelf which marks the top of the concealed storage compartment, the TSF 1000 comes standard with three 6mm thick glass shelves, each rated to store up to 15kg at the centre point. The shelves are held in place by four small (rubber tipped) metal holders which screw securely into the four vertical rails. These shelves are fully height adjustable and need only to be unscrewed with a flat head screwdriver to move them around.

The front of the unit features four vertically split sliding doors - two large glass doors for the glass display area and two off white ones to conceal the small storage compartment area beneath. All doors are fully lockable and the TSF 1000 comes with two heavy duty dimple keys to open its solid push button locks. Both sets of doors slide both ways, creating a 400mm opening on either side.

Despite being mostly glass, everything feels remarkably solid which is likely due largely to the rigid aluminium frame. Despite the hardy feel, the frame looks neat and stylish from every angle and is well complemented by the unit's off white insets.

Another important design aspect to note is the TSF 1000's inherent dustproof design. Most consumer cabinets have large gaps between their glass sides which allows dust to pervade. The TSF 1000 has only one significant opening as the sides are all totally sealed. While the approximately 5mm gap between the front sliding doors may let some dust in, said dust will need to navigate a 50mm door overlap which should reduce dust build up nicely.

The bottom compartment is fully finished and has the same off white finish inside as it does outside - Even the ceiling of the compartment is covered in the melamine like material. Other than the intrusion of the lighting power cable, the compartment is neat and clean, with the internal measurements of 365mm (height), 955mm (width) and 415mm (depth).

Below the bottom compartment, lies a 100mm matt black plinth which conceals four castors and fully removable levelling feet. Once adjusted, the unit stands relatively securely although on uneven or carpeted surfaces, due to its height (and it storing your prized possessions) we would recommend installing a small wall bracket for peace of mind.

LIGHTING

While the majority glass design lets in plenty of natural light, it has to be said that when lit up, the TSF 1000 looks brilliant. The three bright 50W downlights shine down from the ceiling of the cabinet and provide a good amount of light, while the six 20W directional spotlights allow increased light to be directed to selected areas. All lights in the unit are of the LED variety which keeps the power consumption down and their remperature is a fairly natural, if cool temperature.

The three ceiling mounted downlights are each made up of four LEDs and are not unlike the downlights found in modern homes, although the ones in the TSF 1000 can each be angled slightly within their housings.

Accompanying these downlights are six smaller directional spotlights which are cleverly mounted inside the cabinet's thin vertical rails. The directional spotlights are made up of a single LED and a flexible mount, allowing them to be angled as needed.

Like the clever adjustable shelving system, the spotlights can be moved up and down the cabinet as needed with all cabling running hidden inside the vertical rails. As with moving the shelves, moving spotlights around the cabinet is a matter of loosening the holder (using fingers not a screwdriver this time), moving the spotlight into its new position along the rail and retightening it. Easy.

From both a functional and aesthetic point of view, the design of the shelf and spotlight mounting system is pretty much flawless with all cabling neatly hidden away in the unobtrusive vertical rails.

The lighting is powered by mains power with a 2m cable neatly exiting the plinth on the left hand side. The only improvement we could suggest to this system, would be to have some kind of internal light switch available so that one can not only choose either the ceiling mounted down lights or the directional spotlights to be in operation at any one time but also to switch off the lighting from the cabinet, rather than from the wall point.

CONCLUSION

Display cabinets are not rare and walking through any major furniture franchise there is at least one on display. Where the Showfront TSF 1000 cabinet is different is that it is the complete package. It is both sturdy and stylish, has an impeccable build quality and comes standard with a more than adequate lighting package. Like the build, the locking system is commercial grade and the majority glass design, perfectly highlights what is inside.

Also worth noting is that the TSF 1000 comes fully assembled and is designed and built in Australia.

At just over $1,500 the TSF 1000 may appear pricey.. until you visit a local furniture store. Compared to the regular consumer grade display cabinets that cost a little less (and sometimes even a little more), the locally made TSF 1000 is a clear winner, in quality, style and lighting.

The TSF 1000 has enough room for all your collectibles and enough style to make them look good. We have no hesitation in recommending it as an affordable premier display cabinet solution. It really is that good.

OurRating? 10/10

This means that this product not only receives our highest recommendation but also deserves our Editor's Choice Award!

The TSF 1000 is available now directly from Showfront Australia. For information about this product and their other display solutions, please visit Showfront's website or give them a call on 1300 785 694.